While the sightings of Trumpeter Swans from the release programme in Ontario has increased over the years it is only in the last year or two that they are being seen with any regularity down here in the central and east end of Lake Ontario. So the chance of seeing one in this area may be welcome to some. (I certainly get a kick out of seeing them).
An untagged trumpeter swan is regularly seen in the marsh along the causeway just outside the entrance to Presqu'ile Provincial Park. It has been present since at least late April and looks like it is going to stay around awhile. It is usually on the north side of the causeway, quite close to the road. It associates quite closely with a mute swan. Whether it has formed a pair bond with this swan would require more detailed observations then I have done. Harry Lumsden tells me that sterile hybrids between these two species are known in captivity. Presqu'ile provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario between Toronto and Kingston. Exit # 509, Hwy 30 south. To reach the Park, follow the signs through Brighton. It is about a 15 minute drive from the 401. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Access to the offshore islands is restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. David Bree Natural Heritage Education (NHE) Leader Presqu'ile Provincial Park 328 Presqu'ile Parkway Brighton, ON K0K 1H0 Tel: (613) 475-4324 ext. 225 Fax: (613) 475-2209
